LAS VEGAS, NV – June 3, 2014 –– The Las Vegas Strip got a whole lot sweeter today as the Hershey's Chocolate World retail experience opened at New York-New York Hotel & Casino.

The West Coast flagship store, which occupies two floors and boasts an eye-catching 74-feet high Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar that visitors can walk through, provides guests with an experiential concept that immerses them in more than 800 candy and chocolate offerings, including iconic brands they love: Hershey’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s, Ice Breakers, Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers and more.

“Las Vegas is one of the country’s top tourist destinations and the perfect place to bring one of America’s most iconic brands to life,” said Mike Wege, SVP Chief Growth & Marketing Officer, The Hershey Company. “Visiting Hershey's Chocolate World, our guests will enjoy an interactive space where they can taste new treats, personalize sweet gifts and create keepsake photos. These experiences are sure to draw candy lovers from what is arguably the most exciting street in the world and inspire sweet Las Vegas memories.”

The store, which covers 13,000-square-feet, brings two American icons to life, Hershey’s Chocolate and the New York City skyline, through custom chocolate sculptures of the Statue of Liberty, made of almost 800 lbs. of pure Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, and the Empire State Building, made of 1,800 Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars.

Cynthia Kiser Murphey, President and COO of New York-New York Hotel & Casino, said, “This is an exciting day for us. We began conversations with Hershey years ago with a vision to deliver the city’s sweetest attraction. We recognize that visitors to Las Vegas seek one-of-a-kind experiences and we believe the Hershey’s Chocolate World experience will immediately become a must-see attraction on The Strip.”

The development of the Hershey's Chocolate World experience is also a result of the efforts of Chocolate Experiences, Inc., which has partnered with The Hershey Company to expand Hershey's Chocolate World attractions in North America.

"We are pleased to officially open the doors to the Hershey's Chocolate World experience on the Las Vegas Strip,” said Dino DiCienzo, President of Chocolate Experiences, Inc. “We feel that Las Vegas is an optimal destination to bring this experiential concept to life.”

Hershey’s Chocolate World invites guests to create their own Hershey’s Happiness through a variety of interactive experiences. Visitors can customize candy wrappers, choose their favorite Hershey’s Kisses and Jolly Ranchers flavors, and select their favorite Reese’s products, based on their personal preference for more chocolate or more peanut butter.

In addition, Hershey’s Chocolate World Las Vegas offers a variety of opportunities for guests to share their experience with friends and family via social media, including video of them starring in their own Reese’s TV ad, just part of the immersive technology that makes the new store truly first of its kind.